Knitting method and system using stretch yarn

ABSTRACT

An object of the invention is to be capable of easily acquiring a fabric having a desired feeling using a stretch yarn. A knitting controller ( 20 ) controls a carriage ( 5 ), and the like, according to knitting data and control data stored in a memory ( 21 ). Data representing relationships between a gauge texture and a stitch loop length being obtained after knitting and the relationships between these gauge texture and stitch loop length and the length and tension of the stretch yarn ( 2 ) being fed at the time of knitting are collected previously and stored in the memory ( 21 ) in the form of table data. The knitting controller ( 20 ) sets control target values of the length and tension of the stretch yarn ( 2 ) for a yarn feed controller ( 23 ) such that a gauge texture and a stitch loop length being specified by an input unit ( 22 ) can be attained, with reference to the table data stored in the memory ( 21 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a knitting method and apparatus using astretch yarn for manufacturing knitted products with a highly stretchyarn as a knitting yarn.

BACKGROUND ART

In the related art, a stretch yarn using stretch fibers such as those ofrubber has been used in underwear, socks or sportswear. The stretch yarnsuch as a single-covered yarn has also been used in knitted productssuch as sweaters (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A09-324334 (1997), for example). This single-covered stretch yarn isformed by singly winding a core yarn of highly stretchable polyurethanearound a sheath yarn of other fibers. A double-covered stretch yarnwhich a sheath yarn us doubly wound is also fabricated (refer toJapanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 10-077538 (1998), forexample). Polyether-ester is also used in the core yarn to be covered(refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 08-325874 (1996),for example). The core spun yarn, which is spun to have the core yarn ofthe stretch fibers surrounded by other fibers, is also used as thestretch yarn (refer to JP-A 2003-073947, for example).

Knitted products are characterized by having a specific feeling on thebasis of knitting loops. There has already been developed a method forproducing a knitted product having a desired feeling with an ordinaryknitting yarn other than a stretch yarn while controlling a loop lengthof the stitches (refer to Japanese Examined Patent Publication JP-B22676182, for example). In this knitting, the control of the stitch looplength is important so that a feeding device for the necessary stitchloop length has also been developed (refer to Japanese Unexamined PatentPublications JP-A 11-500500 (1999) and JP-A 2002-227064, for example).

The methods of JP-B2 2676182 and JP-A 2002-227064 are supposed to usethe ordinary knitting yarn other than the stretch yarn. The introductionof “Detailed Description of the Invention” of JP-A 11-500500 describesthat the invention relates to an electronic control feeding devicecontaining the stretch yarn. This feeding device is provided with astretch sensor so that the device feeds the knitting yarn to knit thestretch yarn under a predetermined tension. However, this device isdeficient in the knitting of a variable texture such as knit, tuck andmiss stitches. Although the tension can be set on the stretch yarn used,what feeling a fabric knitted under the set tension takes is not knownbefore the fabric is actually knitted. For the desired fabric,therefore, the try-and-check has to be continued to take a long timeperiod for the production.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a knitting method and apparatususing a stretch yarn using capable of easily acquiring a fabric having adesired feeling.

The invention provides a knitting method using a stretch yarn forknitting a fabric with a stretch yarn by a knitting machine capable ofcontrolling yarn tension, comprising:

predetermining data specifying relationships between a feed length ofthe stretch yarn to be used for knitting fed to the knitting machine anda yarn length in a finished state of a knitted fabric obtained by shapememory properties of the stretch yarn, by changing gradually yarntensions of the stretch yarn;

specifying the finished state of the knitted fabric; and

knitting a fabric while feeding the stretch yarn to the knitting machineaccording to the finished state specified, the yarn tension having therelationships to the data, and the feed length of the stretch yarn.

Moreover, the invention is characterized in that the finished state isspecified by the stitch loop length of the knitted fabric and the yarntension.

Moreover, the invention is characterized by further comprising:

preparing paper pattern data expressing a shape of a knitted product tobe formed of the fabric using the stretch yarn, and a feeling sample tobe knitted using the stretch yarn and varying the yarn tension and thestitch loop length of the fabric being knitted;

performing the specification of the finished state of the knitted fabricbased on the feeling sample; and

creating knitting control information for knitting the knitted productby the knitting machine according to the specified finished state andthe paper pattern data, thereby to knit the fabric according to theknitting control information created.

The invention also provides a knitting apparatus using a stretch yarnfor knitting a fabric with a stretch yarn by a knitting machine,comprising:

data storage means for predetermining and storing data specifyingrelationships between a feed length of the stretch yam to be used forknitting fed to the knitting machine and a yarn length in a finishedstate of a knitted fabric obtained by shape memory properties of thestretch yarn, by changing gradually tensions of the stretch yam;

specification input means for inputting a specification of the finishedstate of the knitted fabric; and

control means for creating control data for forming a knitted fabricwith reference to the data stored in the data storage means, whilefeeding the stretch yarn in the feed length and under the yarn tensioncorresponding to the finished state of the knitted fabric, so that theknitted fabric is brought into the finished state inputted to thespecification input means.

Moreover, the invention is characterized in that:

the data to be stored in the data storage means contains gauge feelingdata indicating a knitting needle array density necessary for a case inwhich a fabric having a feeling on a stitch loop length equivalent tothat of the finished state of the knitted fabric is to be knitted with aknitting yarn other than the stretch yarn; and

the specification input means can also specify the finished state withthe gauge feeling data.

Moreover, the invention is characterized in that:

the data storage means is prepared with data specifying therelationships on the stretch yarn and the knitting texture forpredetermined references; and

the data storage means contains not only that data but also data oncorrection coefficients to the data which are used in a case where otherstretch yarns and knitting structures are used and which are concernedwith a standard stretch yarn and a standard knitting texture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Other and further objects, features, and advantages of the inventionwill be more explicit from the following detailed description taken withreference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic construction of a flatknitting machine 1 as a knitting machine using a stretch yarn accordingto an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one example of table data 30 to be stored ina memory 21 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a schematic procedure for manufacturing aknitted product having a desired feeling by employing the flat knittingmachine 1 of FIG. 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Now referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the inventionare described below.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure of a flat knitting machine 1 as aknitting apparatus using a stretch yarn according to an embodiment ofthe invention. The flat knitting machine 1 can knit a fabric 3 with astretch yarn 2 as a knitting yarn. The flat knitting machine 1 isprovided with a needle bed 4, in which a number of knitting needles arearrayed at a predetermined pitch, and a carriage 5 reciprocates along alongitudinal direction of the needle bed 4 thereby to knit the fabric 3.The array pitch of the knitting needles is indicated as an array densityof the number per predetermined length by a gauge (G) or the number per25.4 mm (or 1 inch).

When the carrier 5 moves along the longitudinal direction of the needlebed 4, the carrier 5 can be accompanied with a yarn feeding member 6called as the “yarn carrier”. On the carriage 5, a needle selectingmechanism for selecting the needle to be arranged at the needle bed 4,and a cam mechanism for causing the selected knitting needle to performthe knitting action, are mounted. The yarn feeding member 6 can feed theknitting needle which is selected for the knitting action, at a propertiming with the knitting yarn from a yarn feeding port 7. The flatknitting machine 1 is generally provided with a plurality of yarnfeeding members 6, which can be selected for use from the carriage 5. Inthis embodiment, at least one yarn feeding member 6 is used for thestretch yarn 2. Another yarn feeding member 6 can also be used for anordinary knitting yarn other than the stretch yarn 2.

The stretch yarn 2 is fed from a cone 8 through a yarn feeding device 10to the yarn feeding member 6. The yarn feeding device 10 includes a mainroller 11, a follower roller 12, a relay roller 13, a servomotor 14 anda buffer rod 15. The stretch yarn 2 drawn from the cone 8 passes throughthe intermediate roller 13 while being nipped between the main roller 11and the follower roller 12. The main roller 11 is rotated by theservomotor 14 so that the roller can feed out the stretch yarn 2 of alength necessary for knitting the fabric 3. The stretch yarn 2 havingpassed through the intermediate roller 13 is turned at a distal end 16of the buffer rod 15 toward the yarn feeding member 6.

The buffer rod 15 can be swung around its proximal end 17 at a portionthereof from the proximal end 17 to the distal end 16 and isspring-biased so that the distal end 16 gets away from the yarn feedingmember 6. Therefore, an inclination angle of the buffer rod 15 due tothe swing displacement corresponds to a tension applied to the stretchyarn 2. The proximal end 17 of the buffer rod 15 is provided with asensor 18 for detecting the inclination angle of the buffer rod 15.Here, the structure thus far described for feeding the stretch yarn 2and for detecting the tension can also be likewise used for a knittingyarn other than the stretch yarn 2. Moreover, the yarn feeding device 10thus far described is substantially equivalent to that detailed as the“yarn feeding device 16” in the Applicant's earlier patent applicationNo. 2002-215590. Before knitting a course of the fabric 3, theconsumption of yarn necessary for the course knitting is predeterminedso that the stretch yarn 2 is positively fed in synchronism with aknitting action of the knitting needle by the carriage 5.

A knitting controller 20 is provided for controlling the actions to knitthe fabric 3 by the flat knitting machine 1. The knitting controller 20controls the carriage 5 and so on in accordance with knitting data andcontrol data stored in a memory. The feeling of the fabric 3 knittedwith the stretch yarn 2 fluctuates according to the stitch loop lengthobtained after knitted. In the case of the fabric 3 using the stretchyarn 2, the stretch yarn 2 shrinks, so that the feeling of the knittedfabric 3 corresponds to that of the knit which is obtained with a needlebed having a higher array density of needles and a larger gauge numberthan those of the actual gauge of the needle bed 4. In the flat knittingmachine 1, the desired feeling can be specified as the stitch looplength and the gauge feeling by inputting them from an input unit 22. Ina memory 21, data representing the relationships between the gaugefeeling obtained after the knitting and the stitch loop length and therelationships between the length and tension of the stretch yarn 2 fedat the knitting time are collected in advance and stored in the form oftable data. The knitting controller 20 make reference to the table datastored in the memory 21, and sets the control targets of the length andtension of the stretch yarn 2 to be fed, for a yarn feed controller 23so as to acquire the gauge feeling and the stitch loop length specifiedby the input unit 22.

Specifically, the flat knitting machine 1 of this embodiment is theapparatus for knitting the fabric with the stretch yarn 2 having astretchability while controlling the yarn tension. The flat knittingmachine 1 comprises the memory 21 acting as data storage means fordetermining and storing the data representing the relationships betweenthe feed length of the stretch yarn 2 used for the knitting to theknitting machine and the stitch loop length in the knitted fabric, foreach of different yarn tensions; the input unit 22 acting asspecification input means for inputting the specifications of the stitchloop length in the knitted fabric 3; and the knitting controller 20acting as control means for making controls to knit the fabric 3 whilefeeding the stretch yarn 2 in the feed length and the yarn tensioncorresponding to the knitting loop in the knitted fabric 3 withreference to the data stored in the memory 21 so as to acquire thestitch loop length inputted to the input unit 22.

In the following description, the unit of the yarn tension is expressedby “g”, which is a weight gram so that the unit can naturally beconverted into the Newton (N) unit at the ratio of 1 g=0.0098N.Moreover, the numerical values of the yarn tension and length arerepresented just for examples and will vary according to thecharacteristics of the knitting yarn to be used.

FIG. 2 shows an example of table data 30 to be stored in the memory 21of FIG. 1 while simplifying a portion for conveniences of thedescription. The table data 30 is prepared for the stretch yarn 2 on thebasis of the result that the data is collected, for example, on astretch yarn A expected to be frequently used. The most basis plainknitting is adopted as a “knitting texture” 31. Data is collected for a“tension” 32 on data of different values. A “loop length (or an initialloop length)” 33 indicates the loop length of the state in which theknitting loop is formed by the knitting needle, and is so set hereinthat all the density value of the knitting cam of the carriage 5 may be10 mm. A “stitch number” 34 is the number of stitches used in theknitting of the fabric. A “course length at the knitting time” 35 is theproduct of the “loop length (or the initial loop length)” 33 and the“stitch number” 34. A “course length (mm) in no-load state” 36 is thecourse length at which the “knitting course length” 35 varies when the“tension” 32 is 0 g. A “ratio (at the feeding time) to the course lengthat 0 g” 37 is the ratio of the “course length (mm) in no-load state” 36to the “course length at the knitting time” 35.

A “course length in the fabric” 38 is the course length in the state ofthe knitted fabric 3. When the knitting is made under tension with thestretch yarn 2, the fabric 3 is knitted with the stretch yarn 2 beingstretched. After the fabric 3 left the knitting needle, the tension islost so that the stretch yarn 2 will shrink with the tension of 0 g tothe original length. The stretch yarn 2 is diametrically reduced whenthe yarn stretches, but is enlarged when the yarn restores its originallength. When the fabric 3 is formed, the stitches are reduced by theshrinkage of the stretch yarn 2 so that the stretch yarn 2 is restrictedin its diametrical increase. As a result, the stretch yarn 2 in theknitted fabric 3 does not restore its original length completely but hasa residual tension. The data of the “course length in the fabric” 38 islonger than the “course length (mm) in no-load state” 36. Thus, in thestate where the tension is left in the fabric 3, the fabric 3 is tensedto have such shape memory properties as restores its original in case anexternal force disappears, although the fabric has been deformed by theexternal force. Especially in case the fabric 3 is three-dimensionallyformed into a cylindrical shape or a knitted product without beingstitched, no stitching restriction is exerted to exhibit the shapememory properties sufficiently.

A “loop length (mm) in the fabric” 39 is given a value by dividing thedata of the “course length in the fabric” 38 by the “stitch number” 34.In the case of using the ordinary knitting yarn, the “loop length (mm)in the fabric” 39 determines the feeling of the knitted fabric 3 so thatthe length is used at the fabric designing time. In case the stretchyarn 2 is used, it is necessary to specify the yarn tension, too. A“ratio to the initial loop length” 40 is a ratio of the “loop length(mm) in the fabric” 39 to the “loop length (or the initial loop length)”33. An “equivalent gauge” 41 indicates the gauge of the flat knittingmachine 1 employed, i.e., “7G” in the example of FIG. 2, when the“tension” 32 is 0 g, and indicates the gauge equivalent to the magnitudeof the stitch of the fabric obtained, as “the feeling of - - - G” whenthe “tension” 32 is not 0 g. This “equivalent gauge” 41 indicates thatthe stitch is equivalent to that which has been obtained by knitting theknitting yarn other than the stretch yarn 2 by the knitting machinehaving a larger gauge number indicating the array density of theknitting needles than that actually employed in the knitting operation.By storing the gauge feeling as the data, it is possible to specify thefeeling of the desired fabric easily with the gauge feeling. It is alsounderstood that the “loop length (or the initial loop length)” 33 may becalculated by 10/0.75=13.3 mm so that the “ratio to the initial looplength” 40 may be utilized to set the “loop length (mm) in the fabric”39 at 10.0 mm for the “tension” of 30 g, for example.

However, the table data 30 need not necessarily collect all the data.What is needed is either the course length or the loop length. The“stitch number” 34 is not needed for the data of the loop length. Whatis needed is any of the “knitting course length” 35, the “course length(mm) in no-load state” 36 and the “ratio (at the feeding time) to thecourse length at 0 g” 37. In the yarn feeding device 10 of FIG. 1, thelength of the stretch yarn 2 to be fed from the main roller 11 and thefollower roller 12 is equivalent to the “course length (mm) in no-loadstate” 36. What is needed is any of “course length (mm) in the fabric”38, the “loop length (mm) in the fabric” 39 and the “ratio to theinitial loop length” 40. Of these, the “loop length (mm) in the fabric”39 is sufficient. The “equivalent gauge” 41 is substantially the dataequivalent to the “loop length (mm) in the fabric” 39.

Of the table data 30, the relation between the “tension” 32 and the“course length (mm) in no-load state” 36 relates the stretchability ofthe stretch yarn 2 to be used. This is the relation of the elongation tothe load and can be measured by means of a tension tester. The “courselength (mm) in the fabric” 38 relates not only to the stretchability ofthe stretch yarn 2 but also to the shapes of the initial stitchescorresponding to the initial thickness of the stretch yarn 2 or the“loop length (or the initial loop length)” 33, and has to be actuallymeasured by knitting the fabric 3 actually. The fabric 3 thus knittedfor collecting the data can also be utilized as the feeling sample.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic procedure for manufacturing a knitted producthaving a desired feeling by employing the flat knitting machine 1 ofFIG. 1. The procedure is started from Step s0, and paper pattern datacorresponding to the shape of the knitted product is created at Step s1by employing a CAD (Computer Aided Design) system developed fordesigning the knitted product. At Step s2, the stretch yarn 2 is used toknit samples of various feelings while changing the knitting conditionssuch as the “tension” 32 or the “course length (mm) in no-load state”36. These feeling samples are disclosed in the aforementioned JP-B22676182, for example. At Step s3, the table data 30 is created togetherwith the feeling samples.

At next Step s4, the feeling is specified on the basis of the feelingsamples. This feeling specifications are performed such that the datastored as the “loop length (mm) in the fabric” 39 or the “equivalentgauge” 41 is displayed in the display screen of the input unit 22 sothat the data may be selected by the operator of the flat knittingmachine 1. It is also made possible to select intermediate ones of thenumerical values stored as the data. In case these intermediatenumerical values are specified, the data of the “tension” 32 or the“course length (mm) in no-load state” may be calculated byinterpolations.

At next Step s5, the knitting data is created for knitting the fabric 3.In case the desired feeling is specified at Step s4, the “loop length(mm) in the fabric” 39 for the desired feeling, i.e., the stitch looplength in the knitted fabric 3 is designated according to the table data30 of FIG. 2. Since the stitch loop length of the knitted fabric 3 isspecified, the knitting control information such as the vertical rownumber or the course number for knitting the knitted product by the flatknitting machine 1 can be created according to the paper pattern datafor the knitted product prepared at Step s1, so that the fabric 3 can beknitted.

At Step s6, the flat knitting machine 1 is activated to knit the fabric3 on trial in accordance with the knitting control information. At Steps7, it is decided whether or not the knitted product obtained by thetrial knitting has the desired feeling. In case the desired feeling isnot obtained, the procedure returns to Step s4. In case it is decided atSteps7 that the desired feeling is obtained, the knitted product isproduced at Step s8, and the procedure is ended at Step s9.

In case the fabric 3 is actually knitted, there is used a knittingtexture which is different from a plain knitting assumed by the“knitting texture” 31. For the clothing such as sweater, a knittingtexture such as a rib stitch is frequently used with the plain knitting.The stretch yarn 2 other than the stretch yarn A may also be used.Moreover, the stretch yarn 2 is used as a core yarn such as theaforementioned covered yarn and is wound therearound with natural fiberssuch as wool or cotton or chemical fibers such as polyester or nylon.Moreover, the individual stitches to be knitted of the stretch yarn aremade different into knit, tuck and miss stitches. Serious burdens areexerted on the preparations of the table data 30, as shown in FIG. 2,according to those differences. For the stretch yarn A in frequent uses,the table data 30, as shown in FIG. 2, creates the plain knitting forall knitting stitches as data of the “knitting texture” 31, and usessuch correction coefficients for the other conditions as are tabulatedin Table 1. These correction coefficients are prepared for correctingthe length of the stretch yarn 2 to be fed as the “course length (mm) inno-load state” 36 from the yarn feeding device 10, when the conditionschange from the table data 30.

TABLE 1 Items Correction Coefficients Stretch Yarn A Yarn B Yarn C YarnKnitting Plain Rib Stitch Texture Knitting Knitting Wool CottonPolyester Nylon Yarn Stretch Knit Tuck Miss Yarn Texture

The correction coefficients of Table 1 are stored in the memory 21 ofFIG. 1 and are employed to create the knitting data at Step s5 of FIG.3. In the aforementioned memory 21, specifically, there are prepared asthe data storage means not only the table data 30 expressing theaforementioned relationships on the stretch yarn 2 and the knittingtexture as a predetermined standard but also the correction coefficientdata which are used for the table data 30 on the standard stretch yarnand the standard knitting texture in a case where other stretch yarnsand knitting textures are employed. Even if the kind of the stretch yarn2 or the knitting texture is changed, the fabric 3 of the desiredfeeling can be knitted on the basis of those relationships in the tabledata 30 which is corrected with the correction coefficients and obtainedon the stretch yarn 2 and the knitting texture for the references.

In the description thus far made, although the invention is realized bythe flat knitting machine 1, a computer such as a fabric designing CADsystem may be provided with a data creating function for controlling thetension or the yarn feed thereby to transfer the data as the controldata to the flat knitting machine.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription and all changes which come within the meaning and the rangeof equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embracedtherein.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described hereinbefore, according to the invention, the finishedstate for the desired feeling of the knitted fabric is specified. Then,the data of the feed length to the knitting machine and the yarn tensionis obtained on the stretch yarn used in the knitting, on the basis ofthe predetermined relationships. When the knitting is performedaccording to the yarn tension and feed length obtained, the knittedproduct having a finished state such as the desired feeling can beeasily obtained.

Moreover, according to the invention, the desired fabric can be obtainedby specifying the knitting loop length of the knitted fabric and theyarn tension at the knitting time.

Moreover, according to the invention, the desired feeling is specifiedon the basis of the result of the actual comparison of the preparedfeeling sample. Then, the finished state for a prepared feeling sampleis specified. Since the finished state of the knitted fabric isspecified, the knitting control information such as the vertical rownumber or the course number for knitting the product by the knittingmachine can be created to knit the fabric in accordance with theprepared paper pattern data of the knitted product.

Moreover, according to the invention, the finishing state for thedesired feeling in the knitted fabric is inputted to the specifyinginput means. On the basis of the relationships of the data stored inadvance in the storage means, the control means acquires the controldata of the feed length to the knitting machine and the yarn tension onthe stretch yarn to be used for the knitting, so that the knittingmachine can be controlled for the knitting operation according to theyarn tension and the feed length obtained. Thus, the knitted producthaving the finished state such as the desired feeling can be easilyobtained.

Moreover, according to the invention, the knitting operation isperformed by tensing the stretch yarn. When the stretch yarn is removedafter the knitting operation from the knitting needle, the stretch yarnshrinks so that the stitch becomes smaller than the interval between theknitting needle employed. As a result, the fabric is identical to thatwhich is obtained by knitting a knitting yarn other than the stretch onewith a knitting machine having a larger numerical value of the gaugenumber indicating the array density of the knitting needles than that ofthe knitting machine employed in the actual knitting operation. Bystoring the gauge feeling as the data, therefore, the desired finishingstate can be understandably specified with the gauge feeling.

Moreover, according to the invention, the stretch yarn and the knittingtexture are corrected with the correction coefficients, even when thekind of the former and the latter are changed. Then, the fabric of thedesired finished state can be knitted on the basis of the relationshipswhich are obtained on the stretch yarn and the knitting texture for thepredetermined references.

1. A knitting method using a stretch yarn for knitting a fabric with astretch yarn by a knitting machine capable of controlling yarn tension,comprising: predetermining data specifying relationships between a feedlength of the stretch yarn to be used for knitting fed to the knittingmachine and a yarn length in a finished state of a knitted fabricobtained by shape memory properties of the stretch yarn, by changinggradually yarn tension of the stretch yarn; specifying the finishedstate of the knitted fabric; and forming a fabric while feeding thestretch yarn to the knitting machine according to the specified finishedstate, the yarn tension being related to the data and the feed length ofthe stretch yarn, wherein the specified finished state of the knittedfabric is based on a feeling sample to be knitted.
 2. The knittingmethod of claim 1, wherein the finished state is specified by the stitchloop length of the knitted fabric and the yarn tension.
 3. The knittingmethod of claim 1, further comprising: preparing paper pattern dataexpressing a shape of a knitted product to be formed of the fabric usingthe stretch yarn and the feeling sample to be knitted by using saidstretch yarn, and varying the yarn tension and the stitch loop length ofthe fabric being knitted; and creating knitting control information forknitting the knitted product with the knitting machine according to thespecified finished state and the paper pattern data, to form the knittedfabric according to the created knitting control information.
 4. Aknitting apparatus using a stretch yarn for knitting a fabric with astretch yarn by a knitting machine, comprising: a data storage device tostore data specifying relationships between a feed length of the stretchyarn to be used for knitting fed to the knitting machine and a yarnlength in a finished state of a knitted fabric obtained by shape memoryproperties of the stretch yarn, by changing gradually yarn tension ofthe stretch yarn; a specification input device to input a specificationof the finished state of the knitted fabric; and a control device tocreate control data for forming a knitted fabric with reference to thedata stored in the data storage device, while feeding the stretch yarnin the feed length and under the yarn tension corresponding to thefinished state of the knitted fabric, so that the knitted fabric isbrought into the finished state inputted to the specification inputdevice, wherein the specification of the finished state of the knittedfabric is based on a feeling sample to be knitted.
 5. The knittingapparatus of claim 4, wherein the data to be stored In the data storagedevice contains gauge feeling data to indicate a knitting needle arraydensity necessary when a fabric having a feeling on a stitch loop lengthequivalent to that of the finished state of the knitted fabric is to beknitted with a knitting yarn other than the stretch yarn, and thespecification input device can also specify the finished state with thegauge feeling data.
 6. The knitting apparatus of claim 4, wherein thedata storage device is prepared with data specifying the relationshipson the stretch yarn and the knitting texture for predeterminedreferences; and the data storage device contains not only that data butalso data on correction coefficients of the data which are used whenother stretch yarns and knitting structures are used, and which areconcerned with a standard stretch yarn and a standard knitting texture.7. The knitting method of claim 2, further comprising: preparing paperpattern data expressing a shape of a knitted product to be formed of thefabric using the stretch yarn and the feeling sample to be knitted byusing said stretch yarn, and varying the yarn tension and the stitchloop length of the fabric being knitted; and creating knitting controlinformation for knitting the knitted product with the knitting machineaccording to the specified finished state and the paper pattern data, toform the knitted fabric according to the created knitting controlinformation.
 8. The knitting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the datastorage device is prepared with data specifying the relationships on thestretch yarn and the knitting texture for predetermined references; andthe data storage device contains not only that data but also data oncorrection coefficients of the data which are used when other stretchyarns and knitting structures are used, and which are concerned with astandard stretch yarn and a standard knitting texture.